‘If you’d seen her, Prue! I knew then, there was no hope for her. If she hadn’t grown up and got herself sorted out by thirty-six, I knew she never would.’

‘I was already long done with her,’ I say. ‘But I knew you still had hope.’

‘Not after that.’

‘But you have some now?’

‘It’s been nearly thirty years, Prue. Things may have changed.’

‘Maybe.’

There is silence again – this time, silence from London all the way to Canada and back again.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. And I am. I am so so sorry. ‘I’m sorry that I didn’t realize that you were feeling like that, when you left London. I’m sorry you felt you had no choice but to go.’

‘I’m sorry I could never explain,’ says Angela. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been absent for so long, in every way.’

I sigh. But in that sigh is a little bit of relief and a little bit of hope. ‘We never talk like this,’ I say.

‘No,’ says Angela. ‘I’m glad we are. I miss you.’

‘What did you say?’

Angela laughs. ‘I miss you! I’ve always missed you, and when I’ve spoken to you and Dad recently you’ve been … different, both of you. You’ve been going out on those trips; you seem, suddenly, to be getting closer again, after all this time. It’s making me really miss you both!’

‘Miss us! I can’t really believe this, Angela!’ I’m teasing now, and it feels nice.

‘Yeah,’ she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice and I can picture her shrugging, just like the teenage Angela used to do. ‘Do you think you two would ever come over here for a visit?’

‘I don’t know,’ I say. ‘I’m not sure I can get Dad on a plane.’

‘He’s not bloody Mr T, Prue.’

I laugh. The A-Team was one of our favourites. How we loved it when a plan came together. ‘We’ll think about it,’ I say.

‘Good. So, can I talk to him now?’ she asks. ‘To be honest, I’m exhausted after talking to you.’

We both laugh. ‘Of course.’

‘We’ll speak again, Roo,’ she says. ‘Properly. Like we have today.’

‘Yes, Angela Pangela,’ I reply, ‘we’ll speak again.’

CHAPTER 40